WATERPROOF bum-covering COATS: I am doing the research so you don't have to...

[WilfShelf]

Can we just have one thread in anticipation of autumn/winter? No, we don't all want a Boden coat because a. they're not properly waterproof and b. EVERY other bugger in the playground has one already. So, I'm after technically sophisticated properly waterproof coats that GO IN AT THE WAIST that are somewhere in between hiker and fashion victim. Inevitably, this means EXPENSIVE usually I'm afraid. Some suggestions below. If you would like to add yours, especially cheaper ones, feel free:

Northface Stella Grace Good good good

Marmot highlander Marmot do some excellent longer waterproof jackets but unfortunately I cannot find lots of stockists in UK

Barbour are doing some nice coats these days [hit view all to see full range]

And even some of their wax jackets are wearable!

Now look here High Fash-hags Creenstone, a dutch company, do some very INTERESTING coats, apparently waterproof and technical... but difficult to find UK stockists or prices: can anyone track 'em down?

That's enough for now. will post more later. Please add suggestions but only ACTUAL waterproof coats please.

I have just bought a 'storm wear' jacket from M & S. Water reppellant. This picture doesn't really do it justice and I wouldn't have bought it on the basis of this photo.

It is really lovely on mostly because you can pull the waist toggle in. The one I bought is not petite. It's here

Not sure yet whether to keep it as it does seem quite light. Going to try it on and wander around the garden or something to test for warmth. Comes just above the knee and I thought the fit was quite snug for M & S.

Ahem... lookie here, for EXCELLENT customer service from Shop on the Beach

LOL Wilf, that is brilliant!!! Very well deserved. I must admit, I am loving my Wakefield, it has changed my life

I had my heart set on the Barbour Cameron that someone linked to. I tried it on today but just didn't fit me well at all. Not good for big boobs.

Might have to give the Wakefield a try instead, from sotb of course!!

Adding another coat to the mix: North Face Lauren. But I think I also need a winter coat. For snow, n' stuff. Do we need a new thread?

Am quite smitten with this for v cold snowiness. But the price...

OK, I have just read this thread from start to finish as I need a coat like this, my Rab down jacket is toasty but utterly un-waterproof and I'm stuck wearing DH's old hiking jacket.

BUT as I'm up the duff and about to get massive until Feb, any advice from you sage ladies on what to do? The coat of the Gods-- Wakefield does look pretty fab, but where exactly is the waist - might it work in an empire-line kind of way? (yes, I'm that desperate...!)

No, not really - it's a proper waist level waist. you could always make it a post-pg treat!

Hi everyone,

First post, but have been reading this thread with anticipation for some time!

I managed to get hold of a Merrell Wakefield a few weeks ago, but I am not as impressed as others. It is a great jacket, but it not the answer to all my problems. I walk about 1/2 mile Nursery, 1/2 mile to train station then about 1 mule to work, quite briskly.

Yes it is very smart (I wear it to work) and waterproof (I spilt a water bottle on it in my car and the water just pooled on the surface!)

BUT, I don't find it breathable and I get very sweaty, the sleeves are too long and have no cuffs (to stop rain drips going up your sleeve) and its not warm at all. I have been wearing it this week and I have been freezing. It has a thin lining but is not insulated. I have a medium and I am a standard 12. There is not much room underneath to wear more than a jumper and the bigger size will dwarf me - I am only 5ft 2"

Having said that, I will prob keep it for use in the spring and I will get a couple more weeks out of it now, before it gets too cold. Or I might get rid

I am going to have to find something warmer for winter. I have tried on the North Face Stella Grace and that is nice but not convinced, so still on the look out!

Hope this review helps and gives a different angle on the Merrell Wakefield Jacket

I love my Wakefield!! - bought it last year from www.sheactive.co.uk for only £75 so worth keeping an eye on that store. Incidently they are selling the Merrel Haven for only £100 here XS only though.

By the way the Wakefield is fantastic but is in no way warm enough for the dead of winter. Might have to splurge on the Haven .....

Hi following this thread avidly found a stockist for havens going on Friday to try on does anyone have this one
((www.gooutdoors.co.uk/aberdeen-p164599))

try link again
((www.gooutdoors.co.uk aberdeen-p164599)

Give up!! why am I so hopeless?? its a Merrel Aberdeen

Great to get some different reviews IMHO... I did add to my wishlist of the perfect coat and insulated liner that could be zipped in and out to make it adaptable across seasons. Yes, and proper cuffs would be good!

An insulated liner, not and...

And I'm VERY impressed, FTWM, that you have a mule for the last leg of your journey. Must speed things up no end...

Lol just noticed that! You know what it's like trying to use a computer with a toddler hovering around .....

I like the look of north face lauren, but they never have any in stock anywhere and I haven't seen one in the flesh. I do like the added bonus of a removable fleece.

Finding a long jacket it a bit of a nightmare - there are tons of shorter ones that would meet my criteria. Maybe I should just keep a spare pair of trousers at work, for exceptionally wet days!

I tried on the furry hooded parka north face jacket that someone posted earlier. It's lovely and warm, but only water resistant. I don't think it would survive a down pour.

I am going to trawl back through this whole thread for suggestions, before it gets too cold!

Got my black Wakefield from Field & Trek today (ordered a couple of days ago, thanks for the tip-off whoever it was lower down the thread )

Love it! Only tried it on indoors this evening but it looks v smart for a waterproof

At last I can look remotely decent combining school run with dog walk

Arms are a great length for me, but I'm 5ft9 and usually struggle to find arms that fit well. Especially like the fabric that lines the pockets

Now just need to lose weight so I can wear an insulating layer in winter...

Forgot to say - ordered the North Face Arctic last year, but it made me look like a heifer - I think you'd need to be size 8 or 10 for this to look flattering. And it was uber warm. Also ordered the Lauren but didn't like the fabric. Or fit. Also ordered a couple of Patagonia padded waterproof coats - ditto heifer.

I'm just not destined to wear padded coats I think

Thanks for this thread - I adopted a dog this summer and really need a good coat to keep me warm - dry and respectable in the park!

I also got the GAP waterproof parks type.

Not quilted and I imagine it wont be warm in winter but for £50 it is great value. Have been caught in a couple of serious downpours and it stayed waterproof, great big hood as well.

No style awards but a good value raincoat.
I am going to sell my car and buy that Celtic Sheepskin coat - just divine

Well having given up on Gap ever stocking the parka in XS, I had a bit of an impulse buy and ordered the Boden rainyday jacket in chocolate. It arrived this morning and is absolutely bey-yoo-ti-ful! Lovely fit and fleece lined so will be nice and toasty over a jumper.

The only potential fly in the ointment is that it is 'showerproof' rather than 'waterproof' so remains to be seen how it copes in a torrential downpour, then again I don't have a dog to walk so tend to drive when it pisses down

I have a North Face Grace - not fleece lined. It is good BUT I am long-waisted and the belt ties around my lower ribs, which isn't great. The shoulders are narrow - mine aren't outrageously wide but I'm a tall 14, so no surprise that I don't have narrow shoulders. Also, though I have the large, the arms are cut very narrow, so there's no hope of getting a winter jumper underneath it. And it isn't breathable.
Basically, WHO is going to make a gore-tex (or breathable) coat for tall people? Everything is cut for slimmish women under 5'5". Or tinies who can wear those shorty anoraks. It has to be warm as well - this is a cold, wet, rainy country in winter and spring. THat's half the year, people!
I find it amazing that nobody has exploited people like me, who would happily spend £££ on THE ideal coat, and would probably buy more than one if we knew they weren't going to be kind of crap.

Well, EXACTLY mervynne. We are badly served by coat people in this country. We keep saying (especially those of us who live in North and West) that we need these coats, and we need them to fit normal women, and we need them to be proper waterproof and we need to assume not all women are petite or instead don't mind looking like heifers in a hiking jacket.

But do they listen? No. Except perhaps for some of the LOVELY people on this thread.

Nope, they don't.

Obviously there is no money in it. I can't think of another reason.

I know a woman who is a clothing designer (very niche, though) and she and I have talked in a very unserious way of going into business and providing PROPER thermals that are attractive, have long enough waists and arms, are really fine and fit under normal clothes...and PROPER coats for women who aren't twenty-three and thin (or forty-nine and quite like looking like a lilac sausage).

Actually the more I think about it, the more I think we'd clean up. Nobody's going to be able to have their heating on all autumn, winter AND spring in a few years' time. Investment coats and layers will be a necessity.